As many expected, the New York Jets have gotten off to a terrible 1-6 start and it's looking like head coach Rex Ryan's days with the team are numbered. If/when general manager John Idzik fires Ryan, where will the defensive guru end up?
Aside from an embarrassing 31-0 loss against the Chargers, the New York Jets have played fairly tough this season given their quarterback and secondary issues. It will be hard for Idzik to keep Ryan, but the Jets' head coach shouldn't have a problem finding a defensive coordinator job elsewhere. Ryan took over for New York before the 2009 season and oversaw some of the best defenses in the NFL over that time period. The team was the No. 1 overall ranked defense in 2009 in terms of yards allowed, and was then ranked third in 2010, fifth in 2011, eighth in 2012 and 11th in 2013. They currently sit at 16th at this point in the 2014 season.
A number of teams are in need of a seasoned defensive coordinator (and some even a head coach), so Ryan will likely be in high demand if he hits the market. Here are five teams that could, without a doubt, include Ryan in their plans for the 2015-2016 season.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are 2-5 and have surrendered 28.4 points per game, which is good for 30th in the NFL. Not only is defensive coordinator Mike Nolan on the hot seat, but head coach Mike Smith is too, and if he's fired then the rest of his staff will probably go. Ryan could be a hire here for the head coaching position or the defensive coordinator job depending on what owner Arthur Blank looks to do with his talented team that cannot produce wins.
Miami Dolphins
This is a bit of a premature assumption because the Dolphins are 3-3 and look to be headed in the right direction after a last second loss to the Green Bay Packers last week and an impressive 27-14 win over the Bears on the road this past Sunday. Head coach Joe Philbin has been with the team since 2012 and has compiled a record of 18-20 with no playoff appearances even with Miami being very active in free agency. It was said earlier this year he could be on the hot seat if the Dolphins fold early in the year, especially if quarterback Ryan Tannehill doesn't show significant improvement. So if they miss the playoffs by a longshot, it wouldn't be shocking if the Dolphins welcomed Ryan, who has coached within their division for the past five years.
New York Giants
Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is in his fifth season with the Giants and has seen up-and-down years. He guided a Super Bowl-winning defense in 2011 (despite having the 27th ranked defense for yards allowed), but then had the 31st ranked defense in the same category the following year. The Big Blue D significantly improved with his arrival in 2010 and was a top-10 unit last year, but they've shown to be susceptible to some of the stronger offenses in the league in 2014 (Dallas, Philadelphia and Detroit). But that can't all be attributed to him because the offense is in a rebuilding period and, at times, they haven't provided the defense with the best situations with their turnovers and frequent three-and-outs. It's unknown what will happen to Fewell (or Tom Coughlin for that matter) if the Giants end up finishing the season poorly. Fewell himself could be a head coaching candidate, as he was in 2011, so if the Giants finish strong and the defense plays well, he could be on the way out too. Rex Ryan might not move too far if the Giants are in need of a defensive coordinator, and he probably wouldn't mind working with some of the big names on that team.
San Francisco 49ers
We already know 49ers general manager Trent Baalke tried to send head coach Jim Harbaugh to Cleveland in the offseason because of their conflicting personalities. Harbaugh wants more control, but Baalke is his boss and is not willing to give up any of his powers. FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reported a couple of weeks ago that Harbaugh won't be back as the 49ers coach even if they win the Super Bowl this year. That means there will be plenty of openings on San Francisco's coaching staff (if the report is true), which could lead the way for Ryan in some capacity. It's unlikely they'll want him as head coach, but imagine if he was developing schemes for that talented defense?
Washington Redskins
The Redskins are terrible and their only two wins have come against the Jaguars and Titans. Their defense has allowed 26.1 points per game, which is 24th in the league, and they have the worst turnover ratio (-9). Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has been with the team since 2010 and not once has their defense been ranked inside the top 10. We know Dan Snyder and we know he loves big names. He already hired Jay Gruden as head coach this past offseason, who is expected to take care of the offense, so Ryan could be headed to the nation's capital if the team parts ways with Haslett after another disappointing season.
*The Saints would have been on this list if Rob Ryan wasn't already their defensive coordinator.
